I release stress through productive outlets.

Stress is a part of life. How I choose to handle that stress, though, is up to me. I refuse to feel worried, upset, or sorry for myself simply because a situation goes in a way differently than I expect.

I rise above the effects of stress. When I feel myself reacting negatively to an unfavorable situation, I take a minute to think of the consequences before I do something I may possibly regret.

Sometimes, letting out my feelings can make a world of a difference. I chat with my closest friend, spouse, or other family members about my concerns when I am feeling negatively.

Other times, I go to the gym, garden, or take part in other relaxing activities that I enjoy. This allows me to keep the negative emotions at bay while I refuel with positivity.

Stress can only push me as far as I let it go!

One by one, I am weeding out the sources of stress in my life. I am working on gaining spiritual balance by journaling my feelings, meditating, and spending a few hours alone with my thoughts each week.

I understand that eliminating stress is about controlling my own thoughts and feelings, rather than trying to have power over other people. Because stress is an emotional response, I stay in touch with my emotions to tune out any negativity.

Today, I take all power away from stress. I am in control. It is my body, mind, and emotions. Stress is simply a short-term occupant. And today, stress is evicted!

Self-Reflection Questions:

1. Which situations cause me the most stress?
2. Do I have toxic friendships or relationships that cause me too much stress?
3. How do I deal with stress? Are my reactions productive, or do I resort to anger?

I leave the stresses of my career in the office.

At times, my career can be all consuming. Constantly bending over backwards to please difficult clients and unreasonable managers is draining, to say the least.

However, I leave work related stresses in the office once 5pm rolls around. It is called happy hour for a reason and that is because I get to drive home to my family.

My employer pays for only 40 hours of my time each week, no more, no less. Therefore, I provide my company with 40 hours of my undivided attention each week, no more, no less.

Though I am content with my career, it is really a labor of love for my family. I subject myself to the stresses of my career in order to support my family. My family is at the center of all my decisions.

I strive to banish work related thoughts while I am at home. Even though it is only natural to think about advancing my career, allowing these thoughts to consume my mind outside of the office is unfair to my family.

My family deserves my undivided attention. My kids deserve to have me present at every soccer game. My spouse is entitled to spending quality time with me each evening.

I deserve to devote my personal time to activities that I find joyful.

Today, I turn off my work phone and avoid checking my business email while I am at home. My personal time is shared between my family and myself. The stresses of my career are left in the office!

Self-Reflection Questions:

1. Why do I feel the need to be an overachiever at work?
2. What activities can my family take on to become closer?
3. How can I streamline my schedule to devote as much time as possible to my family?

I can only do so much with my time.

There is only so much I can do in a day. My time is valuable and quite limited. For this reason, I am very selective as to which activities and responsibilities I choose to take on.

I realize that it is impossible to be everything to everyone. Stretching myself too thin leads to disappointment for everyone involved.

I prioritize my time in this order: family, career, personal time, and socializing.

Above all else, family comes first. If I must choose between attending my son’s football game and putting in overtime at work, you bet I will be sitting on the bleachers! The time I spend with my family is priceless!

My motto is “delegate, delegate, and delegate some more!” If others can do a task just as well as I, then I let them handle the job.

My children take care of the dishes, laundry, tidying up their rooms, and cleaning up after themselves. I feel confident about giving them these responsibilities. It prepares them for the adult life.

If I am very strapped for time, I know that I can call in a housekeeper to do light cleaning and go grocery shopping. This shaves off hours from my to-do list!

I outsource simple work-related tasks to a virtual assistant. Again, this allows me to prioritize my schedule and free-up much needed hours of my time.

My time is valuable. I can only do so much with my time. Therefore, I enlist the help of others to maximize my reach.

Today, I put my pride aside and ask for help when necessary. Though I would like to think I am bionic, I accept that I am simply human.

Self-Reflection Questions:

1. Which activities can I painlessly remove from my schedule?
2. How can I spend more time with my family?
3. Is my job too demanding?

I accept the situations I cannot control

The only person I can control is me. I let go of my tendency to try to control the opinions and decisions of others.

Just as I expect to have the right to express my own opinion, I must accept the fact that others may disagree with me from time to time.

At times, I wish I could take charge of a situation or control the outcome, but I know that is often outside of my control.

Nothing positive can come from agonizing over something that is out of my control. When the outcome is in the hands of someone else, all I can do is hope for the best and plan for the worst.

While I accept the situations that I cannot control, I actively seek solutions to the ones I can.

Family disputes are within my control. Work-related troubles may sometimes be within my control. However, political hardships or the behavior of another person are outside my area of control.

For my own sanity, I relinquish my grasp on situations that I have no say in. Unexpected incidents are a part of life. When life throws me curveballs, I handle them graciously.

When I am given lemons, I make fresh, tasty lemonade. And if that does not satisfy me, I make lemon pie! One way or another, I find a viable solution to my challenges.

There is always a positive aspect to every negative situation. By removing my emotions from the situation, I can begin to see things in a new light.

Today, I understand that certain situations are out of my control. The only person I have power over is me.

Self-Reflection Questions:

1. Am I controlling because I do not trust others to handle things correctly?
2. Is my opinion overbearing?
3. How can I improve the situations I can control?